New reporting has revealed a major gap in documentation connected to the death of a guest on Universal Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers roller coaster. According to News 6 Orlando, state ride inspectors kept “no records” of their multi-day investigation following the September 17 incident that killed 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. The medical examiner later ruled Zavala’s death an accident caused by “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
Missing Records From State Investigation
News 6 Orlando requested “documents, notes, photos, videos, and emails generated by the state ride inspectors” from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that oversees inspections and accident investigations at small parks and fairs across the state. FDACS responded that “There are no responsive records,” despite sending a ride inspector to Universal Epic Universe the day after Zavala died.
Zavala was born with spinal atrophy and used a wheelchair. Witnesses reported that he lost consciousness during his ride on Stardust Racers. His family has retained attorney Benjamin Crump, who said Zavala’s disability had nothing to do with his death. The family described him as a “theme park enthusiast” who had previously ridden numerous roller coasters.
Crump has called for Universal Orlando Resort to keep Stardust Racers closed, and claimed the park had failed to self-report other incidents involving the Epic Universe attraction.
“Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation,” Crump said on October 3, the day before the ride reopened. “Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a grave risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives. Universal reportedly told employees the ride functioned as intended. If that is accurate, then the design itself is deadly. We are demanding that Universal pause the reopening, preserve all evidence, and allow our experts to inspect it. If they refuse, we will address Universal’s callous actions in court.”
FDACS Monitoring Without Records
Just five days after Zavala’s death, FDACS publicly aligned with Universal Orlando Resort’s internal findings. According to the department’s statement, FDACS concurred that Stardust Racers “functioned as intended” after monitoring the same tests and reviewing the same inspection information as Universal.
“The department’s current findings align with those shared by Universal after monitoring the same tests and reviewing the same information,” said FDACS spokesperson Wilton Simpson. The agency did not clarify how its inspectors reached that conclusion without generating written reports, photos, or other documentation.
Universal Orlando Resort invited FDACS to inspect Stardust Racers even though the agency does not have jurisdiction over major theme parks that employ more than 1,000 workers and conduct their own inspections. Nevertheless, veteran FDACS inspector Mark Gonzalez—who has spent 22 years investigating ride safety and assisted in the Orlando Free Fall accident investigation in 2022—arrived at Epic Universe at 9:45 a.m. on September 18. Gonzalez reportedly spent four days, totaling roughly 15 hours, evaluating the coaster. According to FDACS, he produced “no reports” from his visit.
Law Enforcement Investigations Continue
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) is continuing its investigation into Zavala’s death. Authorities requested that the medical examiner withhold Zavala’s autopsy report from public release until detectives can determine whether negligence—criminal or non-criminal—played a role.
“In cases which appear at first glance to be accidental deaths – which this case does – detectives must determine whether there is any negligence, whether criminal or non-criminal,” an OCSO spokesperson told News 6. “Through their investigation, detectives attempt to figure out IF there is any culpable negligence or a crime that occurred. And to accomplish this, we must let detectives follow the evidence and conduct a full and thorough investigation.”
Universal Orlando Resort After the Accident
Stardust Racers reopened on October 4, 2025, but Universal Orlando Resort made immediate adjustments to several attraction policies. Guests with disabilities are now required to “walk independently” the short distance from their mobility device to many ride vehicles, including Stardust Racers. Previously, guests could transfer with assistance from their party.
Universal Epic Universe also updated the safety restrictions for Stardust Racers. Instead of stating that guests with “back, neck or similar conditions” were “not allowed” on the coaster, the updated warning now reads: “Do not ride.”
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